The Three Amigos

Connor, Corbin, & Sawyer


A week ago we went over to the Ziaja's for dinner. MacKenzie and Jason's little boy, Corbin, was born on the 12th of February. Sarah and Dave also came over for dinner with their son, Connor. Connor was born on the 15th of February. So, all three of the boys were born within a week of each other!

This was the first time we were able to get all three boys together at the same time. The boys seemed to have fun playing on the floor with the toys, as well as checking each other out. We had a little photo shoot after dinner and couldn't quite get all three boys smiling at once. We had fun trying though!



Connor was smiling through most of the photo shoot!



Corbin just kept looking at Minor. I'm sure he was wondering, "Who is that guy and why does he keep making those faces at us?"



Sawyer lost interest in the event all together and thought he'd rather find out if Corbin's fingers tasted any better than his!

We loved getting together and can't wait to do it again!

"It's the merry hearted boys that make the best men!" Irish Proverb

30 Days...continued

The next stop on our road trip was St. Louis, Missouri. We enjoyed the best firework display we have ever seen with our friends, Jerry, Gretchen, and their son, Noah on the 4th of July. Sawyer even stayed up past his bedtime to take in the display, which he seemed to enjoy.



Noah really loved playing, feeding, and doing anything else Sawyer needed during our stay.



We spent an afternoon at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which was very enjoyable. Currently, the artist Niki has her mosaic scupltures throughout the gardens. Her work is organized into four themes: black heros, totems, animals, and nanas. Nanas is french slang for "babes" or "chicks". The nana sculptures were by far my favorite. Pictured below is Noah, Sawyer (sleeping comfortably in the stroller), and me in front of one of the nana fountain sculptures. If you're going to be in St. Louis while the sculptures are at the gardens, I recommend checking them out. The kids are also able to touch and climb on many of the statues, which makes the art great for kids to appreciate, too!



One of the highlights of our St. Louis stay for Minor was the Cardinal/Cub game he got to attend with Jerry and Noah. I'm sure Minor may devote an entire post to this event!



My sleeping boys! A few mornings we broke our sleeping in bed with us rule, so we could catch a couple more hours of sleep. They are just too cute!



Sawyer loved spending time with his Godparents, Jerry and Gretchen, in St. Louis. We are so lucky to have them in our life. Minor and I continue to be inspired by their strength and faith. They have had a difficult year with losing Caleb, but they continue to model the hope we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We love you guys and pray for you each day!



The final leg of the road trip required a few more tricks to keep Sawyer entertained during our drive. He loves to grab for anything he can reach and put it in his mouth. Come on, momma, let me have it for just a minute!



The last stop on the road was Edmond, Oklahoma to stay with our friends Amanda and Jared. During our stay Sawyer decided he could sit all by himself! Here he is showing off his sitting abilities and his new hat from some of our vacation shopping. I just love those big blue eyes!



Amanda and Jared have two boys, so Sawyer loved watching the "big" boys play and run around. He looked eager to get in on the action. Tyler (top picture) and Austin were really fascinated with Sawyer. But, I think Sawyer was just as fascinated with them, too!





We had such a great vacation with family and friends! It did feel great though to be sleeping in our own bed again. Our first night back, Sawyer just giggled and giggled in his crib when we put him to bed. I think he missed his bed, too! Life has been busy since our return a week and a half ago, so I'll have to put together another post of what we've been up to. All I can say is it's amazing what the Lord can do in a week...or even a day!



Every man who possibly can should force himself to a holiday of a full month in a year, whether he feels like taking it or not. ~William James

30 Days

Last week we returned from our road trip to Missouri and Minnesota. We had a great time visiting our families and also had the opportunity to see many of our friends. It's hard to believe we were gone for four weeks, as the time went by so quickly.



Sawyer did great the entire trip. He spent much of our driving days napping, but was always tired enough to sleep through the nights upon our arrival at our destination. Such a great traveler for us!

Our first stop on the road was Springfield, Missouri. We stayed with Minor's parents for a few days before we headed to a lake house retreat in Branson. We enjoyed spending time with his sister, Miriam, and her husband and their twin girls at the lake house, as well. We got a sneek peak into what having a toddler is all about watching their girls move about the lake house! It's amazing how much babies change in their first year.

We also got to spend some time with Minor's extended family at the lake house. There was lots of game playing, which I'll need to brush up, as I always took the last place prize. We had so much fun, we didn't capture a single memory to our camera.

While we were at the lake house, Sawyer got a fever one night, which turned into a bit of a cold. Then, a couple days later he had his first tooth! So, who knows if the tooth brought the fever or the cold, but we were thankful this was really the only time Sawyer was a bit under the weather our entire trip.

The second stop on the road was Minnesota. We were able to spend time with my family and visit many of our dear friends. Sawyer even got to meet some of his great grandparents! The weather was amazing the entire visit, as it never got above the low 80's and many nights it was cool enough to have the windows open.



During our visit to Minnesota we were also able to attend my ten year high school reunion. It was great to catch up with one of my dear friends from high school, Alycia. It hard to believe it's been ten years from high school graduation.



Sawyer enjoyed his first cereal during our stay in Minnesota. He wasn't quite sure what to think of it, but has since been enjoying his pureed meals in the evening.




A few afternoons or evenings were spent with many of our friends while in Minnesota. One evening we visited our goddaughter, Tovah, and her parents, Matt and Julie. Tovah loved to cuddle with Sawyer.



An afternoon with Kelly and her girls was such a joy! Abby was born the day before Sawyer. We only wished we lived closer, as the commute for play dates is just a bit far.



We enjoyed our time in the Twin Cities. Minor and I have so many wonderful memories from the Cities. It's just such a great place!



Sawyer was more interested in his toes than smiling for the camera during family pictures!





I'll have to pick up with the next part of our road trip adventure tomorrow...sleep is calling! Until then...